Boxing needs the Charlo v Castaño rematch, but Lubin and Tszyu have other plans
After a highly competitive fight for the undisputed junior middleweight crown, unified champion Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (30-1-1, 18ko) and WBO champion Brian “El Boxi” Castaño (17-0-2, 12ko) ended in a draw. However, the sport of boxing needs to schedule a rematch, but it may not happen next. These two champions fought in a heavily competitive fight. In truth, it was close enough to where a draw should not be surprising nor disappointing. Castaño came into the fight as an unknown to many fans. But after his performance, everyone inside the arena and watching at home knows who he is now.
Charlo was fighting in his home state at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas with a sizeable crowd advantage. The Lions Only camp of the Iron Man was in full effect and ready for an explosion.
NO EASY TASK
From the moment the bell sounded, it started to become clear this was not going to be an easy fight for Charlo. Slowly but surely those that felt the unified champion was going to have an easy night were knocked upside the head with a sucker punch.
Charlo, early in the bout, clipped the rival champion with a left hook counter that had him doing the electric slide dance. However, the WBO champion would come roaring back, jumping all over the unified champion every time he had him up against the ropes.
It was competition on the highest scale of boxing. Charlo tried to be the boxer, moving, using the ring, and throwing that stiff jab. Meanwhile, El Boxi applied intelligent effective aggression and landed hard body punches to slow the taller Charlo.
Down the stretch, it was a close finish and both men fought as if this was a now-or-never situation. When the final bell sounded, the undisputed fight between Charlo and Castaño was declared a draw.
Immediately following the fight, everyone was screaming for a rematch. During the post-fight interviews, both fighters spoke about doing it again and their desire to become the first-ever undisputed junior middleweight champion in boxing history.
NOT SO FAST, PUMP THE BRAKES
Not everyone wants to see the rematch; some fellow boxers that are right within striking distance will want their shot at the championship. The boxing community must prepare themselves for the undisputed rematch fight being put on hold until next year.
Jermell Charlo holds three of the four major sanctioning bodies’ belts in the WBC, WBA, and IBF. One fighter, in particular, that has no problem interrupting the plan for a rematch is Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (24-1, 17ko). He has been waiting for the chance to get revenge on the unified champion after suffering his first career defeat via knockout back in 2017. The Hammer also secured a chance to get some payback after winning the WBC title eliminator by running over former unified champion Jeison Rosario.
Another fighter waiting in the wings for a title opportunity is Tim “The Soul Taker” Tszyu (19-0, 15ko). The 26-year-old Australian is the son of Hall of Fame fighter Kostya Tszyu. Moreover, he is the WBO number one contender for Castaño’s title. Winning the championship would make the statement he is not just living off of having a famous last name.
Both Erickson Lubin and Tim Tszyu took to social media to remind both champions and the fans that the path to an undisputed rematch has a few issues that will need resolving first.
Although the boxing community is calling for Premier Boxing Champions head honcho Al Haymon to make the Charlo-Castaño rematch, everyone needs to brace themselves for the current obstacles that lay ahead.
By: Garrisson Bland
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